Elite search and rescue team hopefuls train in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- About two dozen mission aircrew students are training in Fresno to qualify for an elite volunteer unit of search and rescue teams.

The Civil Air Patrol is an all-volunteer group part of the US Air Force.

The unit has 56,000 members across the nation but the training to become a volunteer is rigorous.

CAP performs about 90 percent of continental US inland search and rescue missions.

"So, literally, some people's lives may be in our hands and we have to make sure that the crews are trained to the best of their ability to find and locate the missing aircraft for the missing person," California Wing Director of Operations Joseph Brickman said.

The 24 new members are taking part in the mission aircrew training at Fresno Yosemite International Airport all weekend.